TMJ Pain Treatment

Your Temporo-Mandibular Joint, or TMJ, is the place where your lower jaw joins your skull, in front of the ear on each side of your head. As you talk, eat, and swallow, you exercise your TMJ. When you come in for a comprehensive dental exam, we will check your TMJ for proper function. 

It’s not unusual for people to have problems with the TMJ. In fact, almost 20% of adults experience some kind of dysfunction with their TMJ, with symptoms that include:

• Clicking jaw when you open your mouth

• Trouble opening or closing your mouth

• Hear a grating sound while chewing

• Tender or aching jaws

• If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth when you’re sleeping 

Problems such as jaw trauma (a blow to the jaw), arthritis, or degeneration of the joint can cause TMJ problems. If you are experiencing TMJ pain or discomfort, please let us know before or during your appointment. We can talk to you about options to alleviate discomfort you have while chewing, talking or when you wake up.

If your dentist recommends that you should visit a specialist, they’ll organize a referral for you.